12 days best of Uganda wildlife safari

You are warmly received at the airport. Shortly afterwards, we transfer to the hotel for a restful overnight.

Overnight stay at: Lake Victoria View Guest House (BB) or The Boma (BB)

After a sumptuous breakfast, we drive through the countryside northwards to the Ziwa rhino sanctuary. This reserve is a wide expanse of woodland and bushy thickets. In fact, it is the only natural habitat in Uganda where you can observe the Rhinos. However, there are other animals like the leopards and bush-bucks in the sanctuary. We reach and relax for lunch, Thereafter, we head for the afternoon bush walk to see these impressive animals. We enjoy a relaxed evening and overnight on the sanctuary grounds. The surrounding bushes are teeming with little wildlife and sounds of birds.

Overnight stay at: Ziwa Guest House (FB) or the Amuka Lodge (FB)

This morning, we drive northwards via the Masindi colonial town. We then continue through the Budongo forest until we reach the top of the Murchison Falls. Here, the views of the whole river Nile gushing so close by is next to no other water experience. At the same time, the falls and the river flow on in the background is thrilling. Afterwards, the River Nile continues its journey to the Mediterranean sea through Sudan and Egypt. We check in at the lodge and relax to the magnificent sight of the sun setting over the wilderness. Hippos growl while elephants feed along the river banks below. Murchison Falls is the largest national park in Uganda. The park has a wide variety of big animals and rare birds.

Overnight stay: Murchison River Lodge (FB) or the Paraa safari Lodge (FB)

We start with an early game drive. We look out for the predators as they return to their resting places. Meanwhile, the grazers watch us in bewilderment. As the day starts, antelopes chew on wet grass and fight for females. Normally, the Queen track is good for spotting lions. On the other hand, we may see the leopards and hyenas in the Pakuba area. Along the Albert Nile and the Victoria track, the elephants, giraffes and warthogs move on the grasslands. After a fruitful game drive, we relax and have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we then embark on a three hours boat cruise along the river Nile. We explore the river as we sail upstream to the bottom of the Murchison falls. Crocodiles, hippos and colorful birds are abundant on the shores of the river. From below, we see the huge falls falling from above the rocks.

Overnight stay: Murchison River Lodge(FB) or the Paraa safari Lodge (FB)

Today, we drive southwards through undulating green hills with villages of grass thatched houses and crop plantations. We then reach the historic town of Hoima for a short break. This is the main city of the Bunyoro Kingdom. It is where the palace of the king stands. Further south along the way, we see picturesque tea plantations before reaching Fort Portal town. This beautiful place at the bottom of the Rwenzori mountains, is the tourism city of Uganda. We will have lunch and the overnight here. Fort Portal is the most important city of the Tooro Kingdom. In fact, the Kingdom palace sits on a hill overlooking the city. You can as well explore the main market and palace in the afternoon.

Overnight stay: Fort Motel (FB) / Mountains of the Moon hotel (FB)

This morning, we drive at leisure through the winding hills and mountains of Rwenzori to Semliki national park. The park notably has the only known lowland rain-forest across East Africa. Furthermore, the plains of the park stretch up to Congo. Hence the forest, animals and birds are an extension of the vast Congo basin. We will have an excursion walk in the jungle and visit the two steamy Hot springs. The hot springs have an interesting local history. One is male and the other is female. The male or Bitete is approximately 12 metres wide. On the other hand, the female called Nyasimbi or the the female ancestors bubbles with hot water. The local people would come to cook food such as eggs and bananas in the springs.  Later, we transfer to Kibale Forest. We relax by the campfire to sounds from the nocturnal animals and birds.

Overnight stay: Chimpanzee Guest House (FB) / Primate Lodge (FB)

After breakfast, we prepare for the jungle and go chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park is a tropical forest. Indeed, it is home to 13 types of primates and 355 bird species. Therefore, a nature walk on the forest trails is rather an exploration of the animal Kingdom. On the walk, we see several monkeys especially the black and white colobus, the red tailed monkey and the Red colobus. Sometimes, you will hear other primates and birds calling in the background. Eventually when we meet the chimpanzees, they are either playing or feeding in the trees. Many times, they simply lie or run about on the ground. Later, we drive through the picturesque crater lakes region. We then cross the Equator and enter Queen Elizabeth national park. While at the Equator, we stand in the middle of planet Earth.

Overnight stay: The Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) or the Mweya Safari Lodge (FB)

The day starts with a game drive as we look out for wildlife along the tracks of the Kasenyi plains. This is a real grassland mixed with Cactus trees. Two types of antelope namely the Uganda kob and water-buck roam the vast plain. It is thus the best area to see predators such as lions and leopards since there is plenty of prey. We return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, we then slope down to the beautiful Kazinga channel for an exciting boat cruise. Indeed, the boat sails close to numerous animals that come to the water way for a drink. Animals like hippos, elephants, giant forest hogs and crocodiles on the banks. Many bird species too can be seen in the water. The cruise ends down by Lake Edward with sights of the border mountains of the Congo in the background.

Overnight stay: The Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) or the Mweya Safari Lodge (FB)

We have a morning game drive through the park as we transfer southwards to Ishasha. We then check in at the Lodge for lunch and relaxation. Afterwards, we do a relaxed afternoon game drive in search of the tree climbing lions. The way these lions behave is rarely seen in the wild. As they rest in the trees, the lions scan beneath them for possible prey. the The game drive further goes up to the river camp. In addition to other animals, here are hippos in the river below and primates in the trees surrounding the camp.

Overnight stay: Ishasha Jungle Lodge (FB) or the Ishasha Wilderness Camp (FB)

This morning, have breakfast and relax. We drive leisurely southwards through the hilly villages to Lake Bunyonyi. This is by far the deepest and most picturesque lake in Uganda. Moreover, the hillsides have beautifully hanging terraced farms and homesteads. In the afternoon, we may either relax at the lodge or take a swim in the lake (Bilharzia free). Alternatively, we can go canoeing or take a boat trip to neighboring communities. Besides, we can visit some islands including the punishment Island. We return to the lodge to relax in the cool breeze and to sights of the lake.

Overnight stay: Bunyonyi Overland Camp (FB) or the Bird Nest (FB) 

We relax and drive leisurely through the mountains towards Lake Mburo. Along the way lies the green cattle countryside. Farms filled with the long-horned cows dot the landscape. We reach lake Mburo shortly before lunch time. The park is famous for not only the five lakes within it but also the herds of Zebras. The surrounding rolling hills are an addition to the beauty of the park. The park is mostly woodland and harbors unique bird species. In particular, leopards and hyenas are the key predators here. The topi antelopes are commonly seen, while the  Eland antelopes are shy. The Hippos and crocodiles are clearly visible on the lake. In the afternoon, we go for a game drive along the tracks that crisscross the Park. We could as well enjoy a boat trip on the lake. Afterwards, we return to the Lodge and relax to views of the park below.

Overnight stay: Rwakobo Rock (FB) or the Mihingo Lodge (FB)

This morning, we have a game safari walk in the park in order to see animals at close proximity. Surely, it is a thrilling moment if you have never encountered wildlife on foot. We then transfer to Entebbe for your departure flight. Before then, we have a break at the Equator crossing.

END of the 12 Days Uganda wildlife safari.